MacAir wins major Queensland Government Contract

Queensland’s MacAir Airlines has won a major contract from the Queensland Government to provide scheduled air transport services to 21 regional centres for a five year period, effective from 1 April this year.

Under the government’s new qconnect regional air service programme, MacAir has won the licence to operate scheduled services on six key routes in regional Queensland .

All routes will be served by either 34-seat SAAB 340B or 50-seat ATR 42-500 aircraft , phasing out 19-seat Metroliner aircraft. This will necessitate the upgrading of some remote airports to accommodate the SAABs.

Randal McFarlane, Managing Director of MacAir Airlines, said, “This five-year contract is a major vote of confidence by the Queensland Government in MacAir’s service to regional communities, and a major vote of confidence by MacAir in the continuing growth of the Queensland economy. These routes are technically challenging for both machinery and people, and being awarded this contract again is testament to dedication and professionalism of our staff whom have successfully operated these services over the past seven years.”

The routes which MacAir will operate under the new agreement are:

Western Route 1: Brisbane to Oakey, St George, Cunnamulla and Thargomindah, operated with SAAB 340B aircraft. Seat capacity to increase by almost 80% as SAABs replace Metroliners.

Western Route 2: Brisbane to Charleville, Qulipie, Windorah, Birdville, Bedourie, Boulia and Mt Isa. Route to be served by two SAAB 340B aircraft, replacing Metroliners.

Northern Route 1: Townsville to Winton and Longreach, to be operated with SAAB 340B aircraft, replacing Metroliners.

Northern Route 2: Townsville to Hughenden, Richmond, Julia Creek and Mt Isa, to be operated by MacAir with SAAB 340B aircraft, replacing Metroliners.

Northern Route 3: Townsville to Cloncurry and Mt Isa, to be operated with MacAir’s new 50-seat ATR 42-500 aircraft.

Gulf Route: Cairns to Normanton, Gununa, Burketown, Doomadgee and Mt Isa, to be operated with SAAB 340B aircraft. Currently SAABs do not fly to Burketown, but will once the airport is certified for these aircraft.

In addition to larger aircraft, MacAir has promised to provide air conditioners and water coolers at each airport it serves, to help ensure comfort for passengers on the ground, as well as in the air.

MacAir has a strong partnership with Qantas. Through this relationship, destinations in the MacAir network are listed in the Qantas reservations system, enabling travellers throughout the world to book flights to anywhere in the MacAir network. MacAir travellers can also receive and redeem Frequent Flyer points on all services.

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